Martina McBride brings her tour to Assembly Hall this Friday

When Martina McBride picks a song for an album, it has to have the total package.

"Great lyrics, great melody, a song that makes you feel something – all of those things," said McBride, who performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the University of Illinios Assembly Hall. "One of the things I think I've done well in my career is to choose songs that have strong lyrics and an emotional connection for the listener. But the lyrics only go so far if the melody isn't there."

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